2007-09-10 03:48:50 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Seals & whales : these animals have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat known as blubber. This keeps the animal warm in very cold water. However, the fact it is not exposed to the air also helps keep it warm. Arctic air can be 30 degrees below zero, but liquid water remains about 28 degrees. This is a 50 degree difference in temperature. The animal's size is also an asset in keeping warm. The bigger an animal is, the slower it either heats up or cools down.
Polar bears: These animals also have a layer of blubber to keep them warm. They spend more time on land and have thick fur. The fur is hollow and acts like a prisim to conduct sunlight onto the polar bear's skin. This also helps keep it warm because the bear has black skin. Hollow hairs also help trap body heat.
Arctic foxes: lack blubber and are very small. They are adapted to the cold by having short legs and tiny ears. These help keep heat from escaping their bodies. They also have very dense fur and can wrap their trils around their bodies to help keep warm. Arctic foxes are often found around polar bears. The bear will eat the blubber on a seal first, leaving the meat for last. Larger bears will smell the kill and chase the first bear off if it is smaller. The fox waits around to scavenge the kill.
All arctic animals need lots of food to keep warm. Whales eat plankton, which is very abundant in arctic waters because of the very long summer days. At the height of summer, the sun does not set. This helps algae to grow, which feeds the plankton. The plankton then feeds enormous schools of fish, and seals eat these. Walrun feed on clams. Polar bears and Orcas eat seals. The arctic fox eats the left overs.
2007-09-10 04:06:45 · answer #1 · answered by Roger S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They have thick fur, layers of fat in winter for insulation, eat other fatty arctic animals, and burrow into the snow for warmth. [I know snow is cold, but if you burrow into it your body will warm it some and the wind won't take the little heat away.] They have plenty of hairs in the nostrils to help warm the air before it gets to the lungs.
2007-09-10 22:05:15 · answer #2 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many have double coats which help protect the animal form the cold. They also tend to keep a goo reserve of blubber which adds to their insulation.
2007-09-10 13:15:03 · answer #3 · answered by Cindi B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are used to the cold climate. no need to be as warm as us. and they generally have a good layer of blubber/fat and a heavy coat of fur.
2007-09-10 10:56:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
their fur stands on end away from their skin,protecting it.which is also protected by layers of fat.
2007-09-10 11:04:45 · answer #5 · answered by mopeyhorse 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋